Eric Blumefeld is known as a talented musician and sense of humor! He loves to play at the Shout! House in the Gaslamp District of San Diego most nights of the week. A fan of all types of music, Eric is a versatile performer with a passion for sharing his music with the crowd!
We got to sit down with Eric and learn more about his love for playing the piano:
Q: Are you from San Diego originally?
No, I actually grew up in the North of Chicago in a town called Deerfield.
I went to college at the University of Denver and performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater!
I found my way to San Diego thanks to the Shout! House.
Q: That’s amazing! When did you start playing the piano?
I started taking piano lessons at the age of four, and have been playing ever since.
Q: What was the first song you learned?
Hot Cross Buns…it’s a nursery rhyme. Very Rock’n’Roll. A classic.
Q: Great song.
My musical taste has definitely evolved since then.
My musical taste has definitely evolved since then.
Q: Who are some of your influences?
I love all types of music. I have an affinity for the music of The Grateful Dea, Allman Brothers, The Band, and other jam bands. Some of my favorite piano players to listen to are Keith Jarret, Art Tatum, and Bruce Hornsby.
Q: What is your favorite song to perform?
I love to play any song that the crowd enjoys. My personal favorites are hip-hop songs like Big Poppa, Forgot about Dre, Regulators, It Wasn’t Me…all the ones you just want to dance to.
Q: Do you get nervous before performing? How do you prepare?
Sometimes I’ll prepare by looking around the room and trying to guess what types of music people in the crowd want to hear before I go on stage.
That, or I just take a shot of Jameson and hope for the best.
Q: Seems like a fool-proof plan! How you do you handle mistakes during a performance?
Self-deprecation.
Q: What would you say is your biggest challenge as a musician?
Keeping my voice in good shape. I want to sing every day, but I have to remember to rest sometimes.
Q: Do you practice the piano every day?
I try to practice at least one hour every day. I always start with scales and rudiments, and then move on to learning new songs and memorizing lyrics.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing at the Shout! House?
I love having the opportunity to connect with people
from all over the world through music.
Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians or performers?
Don’t listen to advice, just do your thing.
Q: Do you have a quote that you want to leave us with?
“When I was a little boy, I told my dad, ‘When I grow up, I want to be a musician.” My dad said: ‘You can’t do both, Son’.” – Chet Atkins
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Catch Eric Blumefeld performing at the Shout! House in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego!
To make a reservation, visit: https://theshouthouse.com/reservations/